In 1818, the first Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons in Indiana met in Charlestown, due to Jonathan Jennings' influence.

In 1940 the population of Charlestown was 900, but it swelled to 13,400 due to the building and operation of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant (INAAP).

Additional problems caused by the rapid influx of new residents were improper sanitation at restaurants, inefficient sewers, gambling, panhandling, and diseases such as typhoid and malaria.

Some residents of the Pleasant Ridge Subdivision formed an association to fight against demolishing their homes via eminent domain.

Starting in 2016, the city was accused of using excessive fines against homeowners in the subdivision in order to force them to sell to a private developer.

There were 3,227 housing units at an average density of 281.8 per square mile (108.8/km2).

As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 7,585 people, 2,884 households, and 2,034 families residing in the city.

24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 5,993 people, 2,341 households, and 1,615 families residing in the city.

26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The Common Council of the City of Charlestown meets for its regular business meeting on the first Monday of the month, beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the council chambers of City Hall, located at 304 Main Cross Street, Charlestown, Indiana.